Life saving device



y 19, 1931- L. BULGARINI LIFE SAVING nsvrcn Filed May 9, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 11(13- 8 u gar/"r ATTORNEY May 19, 1931. L. BULGARINI LIFE SAVING DEVICE Fi led May 9. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheqt 2 INVENTOR Patented May 19, 1931 i :3 it

pairs Luis BULGARINI, or B ENosAInns; Assassins; AssreNon on own- IRD ro :oUIs serve, or BUENOS amiss, ABe-E TI A, Ann ONE-THIRD TO SANTIAGO IMAS, or

' NEwYoRK, N. Y.

. LIFE isnvnvs nnvrcn Application/filed May 9,1930. Serial No. 450,923.

This invention relates tolifesaving de-,. vices and more particularly refers to 1mprovements in life savers adapted for indi vidual use. Q

Life savers of the type ordinarily. found on board ships and other places where safety provisions have to be madefor the lives of the passengersare usually'in the formof flexible belts comprising a series of blocks made of-buoyant material such as cork, for

instance, said blocks being connected to one another by means of .a covering of flexible fabric. I

These belts are to be worn around the waist so as not to interfere with the movements of.

the arms or other parts of the body; but I have found in practice'that life savers of this description are open to two very serious objections. One is, that in order to; place them in position it is generally necessary to have the assistance of another person and this, during the ,excltement of a wreck can rarely be secured. The other objection is that the buoyancy. imparted by) the device to the body of the wearer is appliedin the wrong place tending as it doesto'raise middle .part of the body to, the water level,'

.There are other types of life savers used in-theform of a buoyant ring forming" a support fOr the underarmsof the'person clinging to. it however, life savers of' this.

type. interfere very seriously with the freedom of movement of the armsand make it very difficult for the person to stay afloat,

when fatiguebegins to be felt. 1. v

l have also observed that when a wreck Occurs, many persons, are thrown into the water, and'unless help reaches them very. promptly, many succumb even though they,

may ,,have'succeeded inkeeping afloat for a considerable time. In such cases,"thirst.isthe chief cause of; exhaustion and ultimate I death of the victims especially in choppy seas OFFICE- where salt water is likelyto be'swallowed during the struggle for keeping afloat.

I have therefore developed the life saving device forming the subject of the present invention with a. view to correctingall these shortcomings of devices heretofore in use.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a life savingdeviceof a novel and improved design adapted to apply the buoyant force to thelbodyof the wearer at the proper place without interfering-with the freedom of his movements. i I

Another object is to provide a lifesaving 1:

device of a novel and improved type adapted-1 i to be quickly inserted in position without any difficulty and without the necessity of outside help. i 5 i tfurther object is to provide in a life saving device of the character specified a closed compartment or compartments inwhich a suitable liquid can be-stored as well asvaluables or food or money, the compartment containingdiquid being provided within suctionpipe extending to a point within. convenient reach of the mouth of the wearer. A still further object is to provide alife savin device comprising front and rear buoyant members equipped with suitable means forsecuring the device to the body of the wearer, .said device; being. preferably of a collapsible type so as to form. a.c om pact unit simulating a bagor similar article when in its closed position. I a

Stillanother object is to providea lifesav I ing device adapted to be appliedto-the up per part ofcthe body of the wearer, said device'comprisi'ng a rear: member provided .with a head rest/affording support for the head in areclining position.

Other objects and advantages ofthepres ent invention will more fully appear as the description proceeds and will be set forth. and claimed in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated'by way ofex ample in the accompanying'drawings, inwhich:'

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a col lapsible device embodying my invention in its closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the same in its expanded position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the device in its closed position;

Fig. 1 is .a vertical section of the same in its open position;

Fig. 5 is an expanded viewin perspective of the two halves composing the device;

Fig. 6 isa diagrammatic illustration of a swimmer wearing a life saving belt of the ordinary type;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of a swimmer wearing the life saving device forming the subj ect of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is .a side view i the upper part of a person wearing my improved device showing how the head may be reclined rearwardly against the head rest with which the device isequipped,

Fig. 9 is a view in: perspective from the rear of the upper part 01": the body of the wearer illustrating the manner otholding the device in position Fig. 10' is a fragmentary view tive from the frOnt'of the upper body illustrating the position of tube within reach of the mouth of the wearer Fig. 11 is a view in perspective ofa device in perspecpart of the embodying my invention in a modified form;

and Fig. 12 is a side view or the upper part of a person wearingythe device shown in Fig. 11;

-My improved device consists of two halves 10, lleach in the form of a relatively sha low water tightchamber having asubstantially rectangularoutline. Said two halves which are. the members conferring buoyancy to the device, have the same height and width so thatwhen they abut against each other they form a structure such asshown inFig. 1, having the general appearance of'an ordinary hand bag.

The device may be retained in its closed position by providing the same with any suitable locking arrangement, said locking arrangement being easily releasable by hand and permitting ofthe two members being moved apart. as shown in Fig. 2.

In said figure, it will be observed that each.

buoyant member has its inner surface provided with recesses such as 12, 13, 12, 13 at its upper corners, said recesses providing housings for straps 14, 15 connecting the upper portion of one member to. the upper portion of the otherv member.

In a similar manner, said two members are provided with similar recesses 16, 17, '16, 17' at their lower corners, said recesses being adapted to form housings for side straps such as 18, 19, 18, 19 which may hang down therefrom when the device is in its open position the outer ends of said straps being connected by rings 20, 20; Said rings are also each provided with an open link 21, 2 1 through which may be inserted a belt 22,

the suction which also may be housed within recesses 1617, 16'17, and a shallow central recess connecting recesses 16-17.

By virtue of this arrangement, the two buoyant members 10, 11 can be moved apart as far as straps 14-, 15 permit, and in their open position the side straps 18, 19, 18, 19 hang down at the sides reaching to about the waistline of the wearer and holding the belt in the proper position for being fastenedonto the body, straps 14-, 15 remaining directly under the arms.

Then the two members 10, 11 have been spread apart, itisvery easy to insert the device over the head and to slide it down to position, it being onlyne'cessary to fasten the belt 22 in order to retain it there. understood that straps 14C, 15 may previously have been adjusted to proper length causing the two upper. portions of members 10, 11 to slightly press against the body of the wearer so as to be prevented from sliding down by friction, it being understood that. thelength of straps 14, 15, 18, 19, 18, 19'" 7, 8, 9, 10, the two buoyant members 10, 11

remain placed directly in front of the chest and at the-rear of the shoulders respectively, lightening the upper part 'otthebody so that the rest of the body can freely hang down and the general tendency will be for the body to remain in the water in a substantially vertical position. The head is held well above the water level, the. upper surface of mem bers 10, 11 also being somewhat above the level ofthewater;

It is therefore-seen that the advantage possessed by life saving belts otthe ordinary type of allowing complete freedom of movement of the arms and legs, is .fully retained while on. the other hand, the lifting force due to the buoyancy of the device isapplied in the properplace and does nottend to inter ierp with the natural position of the immersed oc y.-

In Figs, 6,7 the two black marks 22, 23 represent the head and theliver respectively, these being the heaviest parts of the human body. l

' In Fig. 6 it will be seen that a life saving belt-2 iof the ordinary type which is applied directly about the regionof the liver may cooperate with the weight of the head in inducing a downward tilting movement of the upper. part of the body. V

In Fig. 7 the life saving device of my invention is shown applied to the upper part of the body thus causing the liver and other abdominal organs to actually lower the center of gravity of the body.

As stated, the two members 10, 11 maybe retained in their closed position in any suitableimanner. In the arrangement shown in ing close to the bottom thereof and extend-. ing upwardlythrough the opening 35 in thethe drawings, the inner lower'edge of member 11 is provided with a lid 25 which is;

adapted to interengage with a recess 26 provided along the inner lower edge of member 10 so as to form a detachable hinge-like connection therewith.

The upper surface of member 11 is equipped with a flap 27 mounted on longitudinal pivots at 28, said flap beingadapted to be lowered over the upper surface29 of member 10 and to be-fastened to a catch 30 by means of a tongue 31 adapted tointerlock therewith.

Flap 27 is equippedwith a handle"32 means of which the device may be carried,

said handle assisting in producing in the device the general appearance of a hand bag.

Flap 27 as stated is tiltable about hor zontal pivots 28 but is preferably tiltable to the rear to an inclined position only slightly beyond the vertical 'as'shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5, As a result, said flap can be used as a head rest permitting of reclining the head rearwardly for the purpose ofrelieving fatigue.

This function is clearly illustrated inFigs;

8,9. Insofar as described, the devicejefficiently fulfills and improves upon the function' of ment being filled with thirst relievingliquid which may be drinking water. In practice however, I prefer to addto the water 10% pure alcohol and 10% of sugar such a combination being more effective in restoring strength than water alone.

Compartment 03 is, of course, water tight but is provided witha suction tube 34 reachupper surface 29 of the buoyant member, the

' projecting end of said tube being formed or. equipped with a suction nipple 36 of the pacifier type. 7

, As clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 10, said nipple is directly within reach of the mouth (iii of the wearer, so that water can be sipped at intervals without any effort whatever.

In a similar manner. the center portion of the lower end. of the buoyant member 11 can be formed with a water tight chamber within which can be stored documents, 'money or other valuables, said chamber being con trolled by a suitable lock 38. I

Nipple 36 being made of rubber, is flexible and can be folded down withinopening 35 as shown in Fig. 3 when flap 27 is lowered in position, so'that. said nipple remains normally concealed from view.

The device can be easily expanded simply by releasingcatch 30 after which it can be quickly inserted in poistion as explained.

-It'is obvious also that if a standard size device is made'it may not be necessary to make the straps 1 1, 15, 18, 19, 18, 19. of an adjustable nature, although when the devices are intended for usein public-places or on passenger ships, it is preferable to make these straps adjustable so that each person may adjust the device to his or her body in advance;

Forthe purpose of my invention it'is not strictly necessary that a belt and straps connecting said belt to the buoyant members are.

used in connection with my device.

Although the two buoyant members are preferably in the nature of hollow chambers made outof sheet metal, provid ng lndividual rigid structures, it is also possible to make said buoyant members out of fiexible'water proof material such as rubber, rubberized fabric and the like. I

,L1kew1se it 18 also within thesco-pe of my invention to malze said buoyant members-out of corkor some other. suitable material lighter than water. r

It will be observed that whenthe body of I the wearer is immersed into the water home.-

terial pressure against the body is exerted by I the two buoyant members so that no interference with proper breathing results.

' The-various constructional. details of my invention may vary to a certain extent from those shown without departing from the inventive idea; the drawings will therefore be understood as being intended for illustrative purposes only and not in a limiting sense. i

7 Accordingly, I reserve the rightto carry. 7 myinvention into practice in all these ways and manners which may enter, fairly, into the scope of the appended claims. 2

I claim:

1-; A device of the class described compris- A lng front and rear watertighthollow mem bers,iconnectingstraps therebetween, a belt,

and flexible connections between said belt and said members, at least one of said members beingformed'with a closed compartment adapted to hold aquantity of liquid, and a suction tube extending from said compart ment' to. the front of the device, within convenient reach ofthemouth of the wearer. 1

2. Adevice ofthe class described compris ing front and rear watertight hollow members,,connecting straps therebetween, 'a belt,

and fiexibl-econnections between said belt and said members, said front member being proyided with a closed compartment adapted to hold a quantity of liquid, and with a suction tubejextending from said compartment to a point,;within convenient reach of the mouth of the wearer,andsaidrear member bei'n as. f-

providedwith a watertight lock controlled storage compartment.

A device of tee class describedcomprising front and rear watertight hollow members, connecting straps thercbetwcen, a belt, and flexible connections between said belt and said members, at least one of said member being formed with a closed compartment adapted to hold a quantity of liquid, and suction. tube extending from said compartment to the front of the device, venient reach of the mouth of the wearer, said compartment being located the lower part of said member, so as to lower the center of gravity of the resulting structure.

4. A deviceof the class described comprising a collapsible structure consisting of front and rear buoyant members, flexible connecting straps thercbetween, releasable means for securing said members to each other to form a single compact structure, and recesses within said members, adapted to receive said straps when said members abut against each other.

5. A device of the class described comprising a collapsible structure consisting of front and rear buoyant members, flexible connec ing straps therebetween, releasable means for securing said members to each other to form a single compact structure, belt, flexible con- 'nect said members to each other to form a single compact structure, said lid being til"- able to an upwardly inclined position to the rear, 7

7. A device of the class described comprising a collapsible structure consisting of front and rear buoyant members, flexible connecting straps therebetween, and releasable means for securing said members to each other to form a single compact structure, said front member being provided with a closed compartment adapted to hold a quantity of liquid, and a suction tube extending from said compartment to a point within convenient reach of the mouth of the wearer.

8. A device of the class described comprising a collapsiblestructure consisting of front and rear buoyant members, flexible connecting straps therebetween, releasable means for securing said members to each other to form a single compact structure, a belt, flexible connections between said belt and said members, and recesses within said members, adapted to receive said straps, belt, and flexible connections, when said members abut against each within conother, said front member being provided with a-closed comp rtment adapted to hold a quantity of liquid, and a suction tube extending from said compartment to a )Oilli within convenient reach of the mouth of the wearer.

9. A ilevice of the class described comprisa c llapsible structure consisting of front and rear buoyant members, flexible connectstraps thcrebetween, releasable means for securing said members to each other to form compact structure, a belt, flexible connections b ween said belt and said members, recesses x 1 sale members, adapted to rcceivewid straps, belt, and flexible connections, when said members abut against. each other, and a head rest carried by said rear member, said front member being provided with a close i compartment adapted to hold a quantity of liquid, a suction tube extending from said compartment to a point withconvenient reach. of the mouth of the 10. A device of the class described comprisillapsibie structure conristing of front rear buoyant members, flexible connectstra; s-therebetwee abelt, flexible con- FEEQl'lSQid belt and said members, wit'un said members adapted to reive said straps, belt and flexible connections, when said members abut against each other, of saidmembers being provided with a :ed compartment adapted to hold a quanof liquid, and suction tube extending from said compartment to a point within con venien reach of the mouth of the wearer, and a tiltable lid carried by said rear member, adapted to connect said members to each other to form a single compact structure, said lid being tiltable to an upwardly inclined position to the rear.

LUIS BULGARINI. 

